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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS Former Assignments 13th BS  3rd BG c1943 |
Pilot Major Edward L. Larner, O-382601 (KIA, BR) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Frederick H. Ensminger, O-726762 (KIA, BR) Navigator 2nd Lt John J. Clarke, O-789455 (KIA, BR) IL Upper Gunner S/Sgt Columbus G. Pelham, 6925229 (KIA, BR) Radio S/Sgt Vernon Moore, 6973069 (KIA, BR) GA Engineer Sgt Berj Manuelian, 11024263 (KIA, BR) Suffolk County, MA Asst Engineer Sgt Robert L. Fecitt, 11024132 (KIA, BR) Suffolk County, MA Passenger Captain Albert F. J. White, QX4878 AIF (KIA, BR) Dundalk, Ireland Crashed April 30, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5604. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12969. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). Nicknamed "Spook II" by Edward L. Larner (C. O.). "Spook" was his wife's nickname. Previously, "Spook" was the nickname of previous aircraft assigned to him, A-20A "Spook" 40-109. Later, this B-25 was modified as a strafer and reassigned to the 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS) before the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in early March 1943. The aircraft was also nicknamed "Onkle Rafe" (pronounced Uncle Rafe). Mission History On April 30, 1943 took off from Doboudra piloted by Major Edward L. Larner. Aboard was Australian Army Captain White from the New Guinea Force, Air Liaison Group. After take off, Larner buzzed the fighter strip, and pulled up to break away but then fell off on one wing from 200' altitude and crashed, caught fire and was completely destroyed. Everyone aboard died in the crash. Wreckage After the crash, the wreckage was investigation revealed the left engine had cut out and caused the crash, and there was insufficient altitude to recover. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Larner is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery at plot 33 OS, 5. Ensminger is buried at Fultonham Cemetery in Fultonham, OH. Clarke is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at Plot N Row 1 Grave 284 Pelham is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, AL at section 3. His epitaph reads: "Columbus Gayle Pelham Staff Sergeant Army Air Force born January 31, 1918. Gave his life for his country over New Guinea, April 30, 1943. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you 1 Peter 1:4". an unknown grave, presumed to be in a private cemetery in the United States. Moore is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot C site 540. Manuelian is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot C, site 147. Manuellian has an unknown grave, presumed to be in a private cemetery in the United States. Fecitt has an unknown grave, presumed to be in a private cemetery in the United States. White is buried at Bomana War Cemetery at A1. C. 23. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward L. Larner NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frederick H. Ensminger NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John J Clarke NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Columbus G. Pelham NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Vernon Moore NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Berj Manuelian NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert L. Fecitt WW2 Nominal Roll - Albert Frederick John White, QX4778 USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12969 "12969 condemned Jun 26, 1943" 13th Bombardment Squadron History notes this B-25 is noted as "969" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-12969 FindAGrave - Edward L Larner (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Frederick H. Ensminger FindAGrave - Lieut John J Clarke (grave photo) FindAGrave - Columbus Gayle Pelham (grave photos) FindAGrave - Sgt Vernon Moore (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Berj Manuelian (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Robert Lawrence Fecitt CWGC - Albert Frederick John White Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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